Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces
R U OK? Day is a day that encourages Australians to open up about how they’re truly feeling and start conversations about mental health. While it is indeed just one day a year, it’s really about promoting conversations and openness about mental health all year round.
Pedro Diaz, Workplace Mental Health Institute founder, talks about the impact of mental health on workplaces on:
“We spend most of our time at work and it can be a really good place. You can give to others and that can be good for your mental health. But it can also be a place where we are judged a lot. Are you good enough? Are you part of the tribe? If you don’t behave in a certain way, you may not be. It can be a place where you are rejected a lot.”
These negative thoughts can contribute to feelings of self-doubt, rejection and isolation – all of which are very detrimental to our mental health and sense of wellbeing.
It’s no secret that people are often reluctant to talk about how they’re feeling, particularly when they’re not coping, even more so to their boss or co-workers. R U OK? day acts as a reminder, as an encouragement, to share our mental health concerns with our managers or employers.
Creating a mentally healthy workplace is about building on the positive aspects of your working environment and taking steps to reduce any risk factors for stress. A positive working environment is everyone’s responsibility. How people within the business support this culture depends on their role. Regardless of their job title, all employees have a responsibility to look after their own mental health.
Here’s some tips for creating a mentally healthy workplace:
PROMOTE WELLBEING
Wellbeing is a leadership duty. Getting senior leaders on board shows staff that wellbeing matters.
Training senior managers in leadership and mental health - making staff wellbeing part of their job role - is the best way to begin to change the culture of an organisation.
Introduce mental health days or personal days as well as sick days – people will feel they can take a day off if they are struggling and this means they may be less likely to go off sick later.
RAISE AWARENESS
Encourage sharing stories from people within the firm or invite a speaker to talk; live experiences can help break down stigma and stereotypes.
Use existing internal communication channels to talk about wellbeing.
WORK/LIFE BALANCE
Flexible working, in terms of working time, location or pattern of working, can support healthier and more productive ways of working for all staff and benefit everyone – increased morale, commitment, productivity and reduced sickness absence.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Everyone needs to feel valued, supported and that their work is meaningful – a positive culture that values all staff and invests in their skills and development builds the trust and integrity essential to maintain high productivity levels.
MENTORING, PEER SUPPORT
Peer support can allow colleagues to support one another outside the line-management structure and offers a great way to maximise the range of skills and experience held within your business.
In Conclusion, a mentally healthy workplace leads to greater productivity, better morale, better retention of valued and experienced staff, and reduced sickness absence.
Here at Inbloom, we have been offering for many years an interactive 45 minutes R U OK? Workshop to support this important cause. This virtual workshop can literally save someone’s life; when pressure is high and you feel isolated, the darkest thoughts can emerge in your mind. We are committed to empower and educate people to take care of their mental health & wellbeing, whilst learning ways to support their colleagues who might be struggling. Let’s talk about it!